Rodents: Biology and Ecology
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Mammals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 574
Special Issue Editor
Interests: forest mammals; bats; brazil; rainforest; biodiversity conservation; population ecology; habitat fragmentation; agroforestry systems; wildlife monitoring; anthropogenic impacts on wildlife
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Rodents are the most diverse order of mammals, comprising nearly 40% of all mammalian species. Their widespread distribution and ecological versatility make them key components of ecosystems across the globe, from tropical forests to arid deserts. As primary consumers, seed dispersers, and prey for numerous predators, rodents play fundamental roles in ecosystem dynamics. Additionally, some species are critical bioindicators of environmental changes, while others interact closely with human activities, raising important considerations in conservation and disease ecology.
Recent advances in ecological and behavioral studies have expanded our understanding of rodent species' functional roles, population dynamics, habitat use, and trophic interactions. However, many aspects of their biology and ecology remain understudied, particularly in the face of habitat fragmentation, climate change, and anthropogenic pressures. This Special Issue aims to bring together novel research on rodent biology and ecology to enhance our understanding of their ecological importance and inform conservation strategies.
This Special Issue seeks to highlight the latest research on rodent ecology, behavior, and conservation, emphasizing their ecological functions, responses to environmental changes, and interactions with other organisms. We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following:
- Rodent biodiversity and biogeography;
- Population and community ecology;
- Species interactions and trophic networks;
- Functional roles in ecosystems (e.g., seed dispersal, predation);
- Habitat use and movement ecology;
- Functional and phylogenetic diversity;
- Conservation and management strategies;
- Rodent responses to climate change and habitat fragmentation;
- Zoonotic diseases and human–wildlife interactions;
- Behavioral ecology and evolutionary adaptations.
By compiling cutting-edge research on rodent biology and ecology, this Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of these important mammals and their roles in natural and human-modified landscapes. We invite researchers from various disciplines to contribute original studies, reviews, and meta-analyses that advance the field.
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Bovendorp
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- rodent ecology
- rodent biodiversity
- population dynamics
- trophic interactions
- ecosystem functioning
- habitat use
- functional and phylogenetic diversity
- rodent behavior
- disease ecology
- human–wildlife interactions
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